Page 10 of Perfect Liar
“I’ll answer, but not here.”
I was mesmerized by this dangerous man. I wanted to reach up and drag my nails over his scruffy jaw. I wanted to touch his lips and feel their softness on my fingertips. I inhaled, taking in his sensual, earthy scent…sandalwood and scotch whisky.
He cocked his head and smiled.
“I have to get back to work. Where can I find you?” I asked.
His smile dropped, and his eyes burned deeper into mine.
“Stop looking for me.”
I matched his determined stare.
“Then stop following me. You said you would answer my questions.”
He kept staring, pulling me in deeper, and then he nodded.
“I do plan to see you again, Ellie.”
“When?” I whispered.
“Tomorrow.”
Neither of us moved. Was I even breathing?
“Talk to your sister tonight. Tell her you’ve met me.”
Though it didn’t make any sense, I nodded.
He dismissed me by dropping his arm and stepping back.
“Go inside, Ellie.”
I nodded again.
It was like my body automatically agreed with and submitted to his commands. I’d never experienced anything like it with anyone else.
I did go, but I looked back. He was still there, watching. Our eyes connected, and I had no doubt he would find me the next day.
Before going through the door, I glanced over my shoulder one more time, and he was gone.
Jess filled beers while giving me a grinning side glance like she knew I’d been with someone. I shook my head at her, tied my apron back onto my waist, and served the next customer in line.
The rest of my shift passed in a blur, the loud conversations and music hardly registering. I spent that time caught up inside my head, mixing drinks and filling beer glasses, confused by what had happened between Will and me out on the terrace.
Only one thing proved clear to me at that point. Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough. I guessed he would find me at the art studio.
Jess gripped my shoulders, making me spill a drink.
“Ellie, did you hear me? I have to go right now. The emergency department called in the surgical nursing staff. There’s been some violent thing on the north side of town. It’s almost time to close anyway. And you’ll wait for Isabel, right?”
“Yes, you get going. I’ll close out your receipts and grab your tip money.”
I grabbed my phone and sent a text message to Isabel, asking if she planned to meet me outside like she usually did after my late shifts. After waiting a minute, I sent her another one and questioned her about Will Hastings.
He said to tell you he’s here. This is really sus. What’s going on?
But my sister never replied to my messages.